Ingredients: For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food colouring (pink, purple, blue)
For Decoration:
- Edible gold or silver glitter
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Candy eyes
- Sugar unicorn horns (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or do this by hand with a wooden spoon.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next one. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter-sugar mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Smooth the tops with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the buttercream frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until well combined.
- Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Divide the buttercream into separate bowls and add a few drops of food colouring to each bowl. Mix well until the colours are evenly distributed and vibrant.
- Fill separate piping bags with each coloured frosting. Using a large star piping tip, pipe a swirl of multi-coloured frosting onto each cupcake, starting from the centre and working your way outwards.
- Decorate the cupcakes with edible glitter, rainbow sprinkles, candy eyes, and sugar unicorn horns. Be creative and have fun!
- Allow the cupcakes to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your magical unicorn cupcakes!
Note: Feel free to customize the decorations based on your preference and availability of ingredients.